Du Champion In Debate Competition

Help combat corruption

Speakers urge students

DU Correspondent

Dhaka University (DU) emerged as the champion of 7th Inter-University Anti-Corruption Debate Championship 2007 and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) became the runner-up yesterday.

The final round of the four-day debate competition was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). The motion for the debate was 'Corruption is the main obstacle to development of third world countries'.

Earlier, two DU teams, Buet (team-2) and Stamford University reached the semi-final. The DU (Aparajeyo Bangla) defeated the Stamford University and the Buet (team-2) defeated DU (Shoparjito Swadhinata) to reach the final.

DU Debating Society (DUDS) hosted the competition in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Rashedul Alam Russel of the winning team was awarded the 'Best Debater of the Competition'.

A total of 26 teams from 21 public and private universities across the country took part in the parliamentary-style debate competition.

Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, chief moderator of DUDS, announced the name of the winning team at the closing ceremony in the evening.

Addressing the closing ceremony, the speakers called on the young generation to help stamp out corruption by joining the anti-corruption campaign and mobilising public opinion against graft.

Prof Abul Kalam Azad said honest people should unite against corrupt people in society.

Mahfuz Anam called on the students to develop anti-corruption mindset. "You will have to take a brave stand against corruption," he added.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said people from all walks of life, especially the young generation, will have to come forward to combat corruption. Otherwise, it would not be possible to eliminate it only through preventive measures, he added.